Taiping council launches third ‘plogging’ programme

A group of Jom Plog programme participants in an event last year. The municipal council is targeting 500 people to take part in the Location B category.

Taiping Municipal Council is currently holding its third “Jom Plog” (Let’s Plog) programme until March 31.

Council president Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir said the programme was meant to encourage people to work together in clean-up activities while teaching them to always be mindful of the environment’s state of cleanliness.

He said the programme was divided into two categories, Location A and Location B.

“Location A involves housing areas or the respective working areas.

“Location B is more open, involving public areas such as tourist destinations, ” he said in a press statement.

“For Location B, the areas include Taiping Lake Gardens, the foothills of Bukit Larut, Jalan Berek and the vicinity near the Kamunting Bus Terminal.

“Those joining the programme at Location B need to register and get equipment, including gloves and biodegradable plastic bags at the respective counters in the four areas, ” he added.

Plogging is an activity that mixes jogging and picking up litter. It started in Sweden in 2016 following increased concerns over plastic pollution.

Khairul said the target was to get 500 people to participate in Location B.

“Participants are required to take a picture of themselves taking part in the activity and show it to the organising committee that has set up a temporary counter at the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari.

“They will then get a 50% discount pass to visit the zoo, ” he said.

Khairul said the programme kicked off in 2019 and focused solely on Lake Gardens.“Between August and December last year, some 60 people registered for the programme.

“Several non-governmental organisations and local communities have also given their support to make this programme a success, ” he said.

For details, call the council’s Public Relations and Tourism Department at 05-808 0777.

The public can also register via Facebook, either through the council’s or Program Inisiatif Komuniti Taiping PINK’s page.